KOCHI: The shade trees along Marine Drive walkway, one of the most sought after destinations in the city, face the threat of getting uprooted, thanks to apathy of authorities who own the walkway. Age-old trees, standing on the sides of the walkway, are getting uprooted in the strong winds.
Lack of pruning and weak base cause trees to fall. Moreover, when people complain of the uprooted trees obstructing the walkway, the workers cut the branches and dump it in the backwaters, instead of removing it from the spot.
“The beauty of Marine Drive is the trees in the area. People can sit under the shades of the trees, enjoying cool breeze even in the afternoon. Absence of trees will result in people staying away from the walkway. If the existing trees are uprooted in the wind, it will take many more years to get back the canopy after planting new saplings in the area,” says activist Ranjit Thampy.
A tree planted by former president APJ Abdul Kalam got uprooted in the strong winds recently. Another tree which stood near it fell a few days ago. After Thampy complained to corporation councillor, workers cut the branches of the fallen tree. “The councillor informed CSML, which is carrying out renovation works in the walkway, about the uprooted tree. The CSML workers cut the branches and dumped it in the backwater,” Thampy said.
